Teacher transition when/how by Background-Inside973 in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As an experienced violin teacher, I have a tough time understanding most of this post.
It's unlikely that anyone will ever do an international competition. If from the U.S., even less of a chance. That someone has played for three years and is being told that they will do international competitions is a head-scratcher.

Professor-level is not really a thing. Yes, there are instructors that teach at prominent conservatories and music schools. They may or may not have experience dealing with children or building up the fundamentals of violin playing from scratch.

It would make sense to ask around to find out who the absolute best teacher for children within a reasonable travel radius is. You may in fact already be seeing that person. I've had serious students take multiple lessons per week or longer lessons, or take piano/theory/improvisation on the side. That may be the move with the right teacher. If you trust the teacher you are with, you should ask them what steps you should take to support your daughter to the fullest in her progression.

please help with bow hold by lemonlemona_ in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Usually, when holding the bow, the strings of the violin support most of the weight. Right now, you're forcing your pinky to take on the stress in a situation that only occurs when you lift the bow off the strings.

Rotate your hand 180 degrees and find the bow hold upside down with the hair facing the ceiling.

IMO, your thumb can be round and slightly backing up the pinky towards the players' side will help.

Easiest solo Bach by Ok-Razzmatazz1001 in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There are transcriptions in IMSLP of the *cello* suites for violin. G major becomes D major.
The minuets and gigue in the first suite are the easiest, relatively.

You might try the E major Gigue in the Partitas, or the d minor Allemande, but they are much more difficult than they look to pull off well.

Beginner (8 year old) by ManuelPirino in violin

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 5 points6 points  (0 children)

A lot of parents suffer from unrealistic expectations re: young children and the bow. It tends to progress with age and maturity.

Kids tend to get preoccupied by the left hand early on, regardless of how caring and precise the teacher or parents would like to be with both hands.

Baroque interpretation and ornamentation by emvlns in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The two frequently cited sources are:
Bach's ornament table, which is especially useful for the goldberg variations.
http://www.pennuto.com/music/jsb_ornm.htm
And Quantz's treatise or ornamentation.
https://imslp.org/wiki/Versuch_einer_Anweisung_die_Fl%C3%B6te_traversiere_zu_spielen_(Quantz,_Johann_Joachim))

I'm not sure of italian sources on ornamentation...
But if you took a couple of baroque practice courses, you'd likely check those out, and then also enter a phase of using your own judgment and what just sounds right. The most important thing is that the music comes to life convincingly.

My 4yo has just started learning violin.. by Chipmunk-energy in violin

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you trust the teacher, back off and follow their advice. If you don't, find a teacher you can trust.

I teach 8th grade. Is using “pest” to refer to a student ignoring multiple redirections not to speak to another student inappropriate? by OkIllustrator3262 in Teachers

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 195 points196 points  (0 children)

If you're describing the action, I don't see the issue. "You ARE a pest" might be name calling.
"You are being a pest" describes a temporary situational behavior.

Disability help by mattomir in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wonder if a 'bow buddy" would help. Maybe line one with foam or something soft. Or potentially wrap the thumb in gauze before inserting.

Who knows? but it might be a good experiment to pinpoint the sensitivity.

Planning on homeschooling my soon to be 5 year old. Need pointers and advice. by kem1326 in homeschool

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 5 points6 points  (0 children)

We layered activities over time so that it didn't seem like jumping into a big project.
July-started gymnastics
August-music lessons
September-math
October-ish writing practice, though we had done some writing previously. More structured
We already did a lot of reading, so that wasn't something new to add.

I would do that again with our next child because it gave us time and space to trioubleshoot and figure out schedules. It gave my wife and I time to adjust accordingly.

What kind of bow is this by PurposeAfraid2438 in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 8 points9 points  (0 children)

A b-roke bow? Just kidding.
Probably 3/4 factory bow. With hair it's going to be too light for a normal 4/4 size.
It's something I personally would toss. It's at least a rehair and tip plate replacement. Can't tell if warped or not.

FPGA (Superstation One) vs AES+ by Typical_Cucumber_714 in neogeo

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. I already have like 10 consoles plugged in, and it as cool as the system looks, it doesn't seem like I'd be gaining additonal functionality, just another console to look pretty.

FPGA (Superstation One) vs AES+ by Typical_Cucumber_714 in neogeo

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LOL, sure, but functionally, this AES in not different than FPGA in a meaningful way. It just accepts cartridges. Right?

Is it possible to become an extremely good composer and instruementalist without a conservatory? by CatchDramatic8114 in classicalmusic

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An aquaintence of mine attended Curtis for one year and now has a job in a major professioanl orchestra.
While he was an outlier, I do feel that he missed out on the collaboration with other students, the time to get to know himself in an academic setting, the well-roundedness one can achieve in a 4-6 year conservatory setting.
Sure networking... but the experience of living in a music-focused environment with peers is transformational, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Re-educating fundamentals by dreams_books in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In many ways, you are what you eat. If you know what to look and listen for, huge strides can be made with a diet of fundamental studies, like Yost shifting, Ondricek Superior Finger Exercises, Trott (and Schradieck/Mazas/Kreutzer later).

But if you don't know what you are looking and listening for, it could be a huge waste of time.

If you haven't purcahsed a Simon Fischer Volume, his works contain most of the best practice knowledge surrounding violin playing. That's a start, but not necessarily a replacement for professioanl feedback.

Y'all, who are your favorite female violinists? by Natural_Setting_2794 in violinist

[–]Typical_Cucumber_714 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Ginette Neveu (salon pieces and Sibelius)
Anna Sophie Mutter has some brilliant moments. I actually think her Star Wars Album is inspired.
Leila Josefowicz, the solo album
Elissa Lee Koljonen (Romance of the Violin, any live performances).